ACCELERATE VIRGINIA BROADBAND MAPPING AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGN

In an effort to expand high-speed Internet access across the state, Virginia Tech'seCorridors program launched the Accelerate Virginia broadband mapping project. Serving as communications manager, Patrick Fay led the creation, development, and implementation of the campaign.

Residents, businesses, and other users were asked to run a speed test and map current internet availability throughout the state. Along with other sources, this data has been used to identify areas in need of affordable broadband infrastructure investment.

In order to collect the necessary data, the campaign provided educational resources and incentives to encourage participation by the public. Users that ran the speed test were presented with a report on their own speed test results.

The test results also included a summary of local results and customer satisfaction scores. No personal information was collected or shared.

Community leaders and local county governments were also provided with campaign training and resources, including pre-recorded PSAs, press releases, information flyers, and other tools to help them plan and implement their own local mapping campaigns.

At the time of its launch, the Accelerate Virginia Broadband Mapping and Outreach campaign was lauded as the first of its kind in the nation. The campaign earned praise from the White House administration and received a 2011 Governor's Technology Award for the Innovative Use of Technology in Economic Development.